Former state Sen. Tate dies at age 65
Memphis Democrat found dead in home
NASHVILLE — Former Memphis state Senator Reggie Tate has died unexpectedly, less than a year after leaving office.
Tate, a Democrat from Shelby County who was defeated in an August 2018 primary, was found dead in his home Monday morning, said Ken Jobe, spokesman for the House Democratic Caucus.
Jobe said it appeared Tate, 65, had died of natural causes.
Tate, who often sided with Republicans on policy matters, had repre
sented Shelby County’s District 33 since first being elected to the statehouse in 2006.
He was defeated last year by Katrina Robinson, a first-time candidate who won by more than 35 points and had been endorsed by the two other Shelby County Democrats in the state Senate.
Tate had faced criticism from Democrats in recent years, including a censure by the Shelby County Democratic Party after a recording surfaced in which Tate disparaged fellow Democrats.
Among Tate’s most notable votes was one in a key Senate committee in 2013 to move forward a controversial bill that would legalize wine sales in grocery stores.
While the House ultimately killed it that year, the deciding committee vote by Tate, who had previously expressed concern about the bill, proved that there was momentum in the Senate to move along.
The effort ultimately passed both chambers in 2014.
Tate, who was president and CEO of Accent by Design architectural firm, graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in architectural engineering. He served on a number of boards in Memphis, including at the National Civil Rights Museum. the legislation
Lawmakers recall Tate’s humor and bipartisanship
As news of his death spread Monday, state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle praised the former senator.
“Senator Tate left an indelible mark on the state of Tennessee and its citizens through legislation that he sponsored and cosponsored over his many years at the Tennessee Legislature,” said Rep. Antonio Parkinson, a fellow Memphis Democrat, in a statement on behalf of the 19-member Shelby County legislative delegation.
Parkinson, who described Tate as a friend, tweeted that Tate “always made us smile when he was around. He will be missed.”
House Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-cosby, recalled how Tate would introduce him as his “twin brother” who had “the same daddy but different mammas.”
“My gosh my heart is heavy,” Faison tweeted. “I loved Reggie Tate. My whole family loved him. He’s even came to stay in the mountain with me. We’ve lost a great man!”
Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Raumesh Akbari, another Memphis Democrat known for her willingness to work with Republicans on legislation, said that she was “absolutely heartbroken” to learn of Tate’s passing, also describing him as a friend.
“No matter what the legislative issue was, he found a way to work with folks from both sides of the aisle and always thought of Memphis first,” Akbari said. “Sen. Tate had a way of always making you smile and I know he’s smiling down on all of us today.”
Robinson offered her condolences in a statement, calling Monday a “sad day for Shelby County and our entire state” and thanking him for his dozen years of service to District 33, which she currently represents.
Sen. Sara Kyle, D-memphis, said Tate “did many good things for the citizens of Shelby County,” and she would “miss his smile and good sense of humor.”
Lt. Gov. and Senate Speaker Randy Mcnally, R-oak Ridge, tweeted that Tate was a “great friend and an excellent legislator.”
“His positive attitude was contagious and his commitment to his district was unquestioned,” Mcnally said. “He knew when to fight but he also knew when to reach across the aisle to help his constituents and our state. He will be missed.”
Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who most recently served in the state Senate before being sworn in to Congress in January, also offered his condolences.
“Reggie was not just a colleague — he was a friend to all,” Green tweeted.
Reach reporter Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.